General Manager Don Shindle of The Westin Verasa Napa, located on the bank of the Napa River and just a short stroll from the heart of Napa’s vibrant downtown, is pleased to announce the property’s newest offering, Somm Sisters Soiree. A culinary, viticulture and relaxation inspired weekend getaway created to celebrate women, Somm Sisters Soiree Getaway will take place on Thursday through Saturday, March 7 through 9. The month of March is Women’s History Month in the U.S. and International Women’s Day is celebrated annually on March 8.

“The Westin Verasa Napa is very proud to present this exciting line up of weekend activities to celebrate women,” said Shindle. “We’ve assembled high-profile collaborations on the wine and culinary fronts. Coupled with the property’s signature blend of relaxation and rejuvenation, this offering provides an ideal girls getaway retreat to the Napa Valley.”

The festivities will kick off on Thursday, March 7 at 7:30 p.m. with a reception followed by a five-course dinner at the property’s Michelin-starred restaurant, La Toque. For the evening, Chef Ken Frank will join forces with special guest chef Jennifer Puccio from the critically acclaimed San Francisco restaurants Marlowe and Park Tavern. A native East Coaster, Puccio’s culinary credits include working with notable chef, author, and James Beard Award winner Anna Sortun of Oleana (Cambridge, Mass.).

Executive Chef Ken Frank of La Toque Restaurant

Prior to opening Marlowe, Puccio served as executive chef of San Francisco’s Cortez, where she earned a highly coveted three stars from San Francisco Chronicle Food Editor and Critic Michael Bauer, an honor she earned again in April 2010 while at the helm of Marlowe and a third time at sister restaurant Park Tavern in October 2011. Joining Chef Puccio will be La Toque’s own rising female sommelier standout, Zoe Hankins, who will work with the chef team to select pairings from female winemakers. This exclusive dinner has only one seating and is priced at $200, wine pairings included. Reservations can be made by calling La Toque at (707) 257-5157.

On Friday evening, March 8, the organization Women of the Vine will host its Grand Tasting event. Women of the Vine is the first collaboration of sustainable family grape growers and women winemakers/proprietors. Founded by author Deborah Brenner, Women of the Vine will host its Grand Tasting, sponsored by MORE Magazine, in the property’s outdoor Solara Courtyard from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The Grand Tasting will feature 30 top female winemakers, including Gina Gallo from Gallo Family Vineyards, Julianne Laks from Cakebread, Stacy Clark from Charles Krug, Theresa Heredia from Gary Farrell, Genevieve Janssens of Robert Mondavi Winery and Portfolio, Susan Lueker and Megan Schofield of Simi, and Niki Pruss of Stags Leap Wine Cellars. Small bites will also be served during the tasting. Tickets to Women of the Vine’s Grand Tasting event are $50 each and can be purchased at this link: http://womenofthevine.eventbrite.com/.

In addition to Women of the Vine’s Grand Tasting Event, The Westin Verasa Napa’s Somm Sister Soiree getaway weekend will also offer relaxing activities geared just for women. On Friday morning, March 8, the property will host a free yoga session sponsored by lululemon. There will also be numerous opportunities to explore and experience the offerings of local female winemakers. On Thursday, March 7, and on Saturday, March 9, the property will offer complimentary wine tastings during Westin Unwind, held in the lobby from 5 to 7 p.m. A map listing the female winemakers’ respective tasting rooms will be provided so guests can plan their winery visits accordingly.

To enjoy the festivities of Somm Sister Soiree, The Westin Verasa Napa has created two separate overnight packages – the Grand Tasting Package and the Wine & Dine Package. The Grand Tasting Package includes an overnight stay at the property, a ticket to the Women of the Vine Grand Tasting event, and a copy of Women of the Vine, Inside the World of Women who Make, Taste and Enjoy Wine, the book written by founder Deborah Brenner about 20 women in the wine industry and selected by Wine Spectator as a top read for your wine lover’s library. For those looking for a longer getaway, there is the Wine & Dine Package. This includes a suite at The Westin Verasa Napa, a seat at La Toque’s Guest Chef Dinner with Jennifer Puccio on March 7, a ticket to Women of the Vine’s Grand Tasting and a copy of the Women of the Vine book. To learn more about these packages and for additional booking details, please visit http://www.westinnapa.com/somms-soiree-packages or call 1-866-716-8126 and ask for package SSC05H87 for the Grand Tasting Package and SSC07H87 for the Wine & Dine Package.